Computer Desk Example One-Single Door Armoire

Computer Desk Example Two -Double Door Armoire

Computer Desk Three

or like this....

Shelving on one side and rod on the other.

We can always remove a center stile and place it on one of the doors so you can put in a tv...

We have adapted a nice early Danish armoire to accomodate a giant sized flat screen tv.

To the left are photos of a work in progress. Borge is extending the back of this armoire and he has removed and saved the original back. The back is now a piece of veneer cut to fit the tv tube.

In the workshop, touch with your mouse to see this piece installed in the home.

Converting an armoire to pocket doors for a large tv.

Before photos....

Please pick an armoire with INTERIOR hinges if you would like pocket doors.

After photos....

A conversion like this to pocket doors costs about $300 and a shelf with a slide out turntable about $200. We fasten the shelf to the armoire so that it won't tip by the way!

If you are going to use your armoire to hide a tv, please keep in mind that you will probably prefer OUTSIDE hinges. These outside hinges allow a door to open fully. Most bow-top type armoires have inside hinges for added elegance, but not very practical for tv watching!

Pocket doors...We can order special hinges to make a pocket type door. They cost about $200 per door with installation.

You can also add a nice swivel/pull out tv shelf.

If you see a double door armoire that you would like for a big tv set, we can detach the center piece and attach it to either door. We will also put in shelving to fit your tv and video equipment.

We try very hard to find nice old armoires deep enough to hold your tv set and stereo equipment, but there are not very many. We sure are glad that tv manufacturers are starting to think skinny.

Clothes Rods...

Some of the early Danish double door armoires are deep as well. People hung their few clothes on pegs, so we will have to add a clothes rod for you.

Overcoats and suits....

We recommend that the interior depth for nice coats be at least 18 inches, preferably 19-20 inches to prevent rubbing of the cloth. Your biggest selection will be within the bow top range, Danish from c.1900. These pieces were created with lots of depth and intended for hangers. Generally speaking they knock down neatly to be moved and so make a great closet which can move from home to home with you with ease. Every year we find one or two with a great beveled mirror as well.

A little armoire history....

Bowtop armoires... All were made from about 1880-1920, late Victorian style. All of this type come apart which was probably necessary since they were most often owned by city folk with narrow steep staircases. Usually part of a suite which included a bed, vanity, vanity stools, and nightstands. Often painted just white or a yellow-green. Interestingly, these armoires were the first to incorporate a rod and were truly deep enough to hand clothing on hangers. Usually the hinges are of the interior type, considered far more elegant.

Armoires are found with one door or two for the most part, bow topped armoires from 1890-1910 sometimes have 3.

Prior to about 1890, an armoire was a locked parlor piece for your personal possessions. It followed you wherever you lived and worked and your few pieces of good clothing hung on pegs. For this reason, most armoires are fairly shallow; after the invention of the hanger, armoires got deeper.